Imphal, January 09: With elections to the 9th State Assembly just round the corner, MPP continues to welcome veteran political figures into its fold, to bolster its prospects in the polls.

After former Union Minister Th Chaoba joined the regional political party yesterday, former Chief Minister RK Dorendra today became the latest politician of reckoning to embrace the MPP.

Shortly after officially joining the MPP, Dorendra during an interaction with the media contended that his decision had the consent of the people of Yaiskul AC from where he would contest the election for the last time before retiring from politics.

Significantly Dorendra was elected for the first time in the 1974 election as an MPP candidate.

Addressing the media Dorendra who was also a Rajya Sabha member said MPP leaders had been approaching him for the last one month to rejoin his parent political party.

He also expressed his gratitude to the MPP leaders for promptly accepting his decision to rejoin the party.

Responding to queries from media persons during the press conference held at MPP office this afternoon, Dorendra clarified that he had not applied for Congress ticket for the ensuing poll despite frequent intimations from Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing to come back to the Indian National Congress.

Stating that Rishang Keishing have had talks with AICC leaders for his return apart from his personal correspondence with Sonia Gandhi and meeting Congress party's North East in-charge Oscar Fernandes on the matter, Dorendra claimed that some MPCC functionaries objected to his re-entry to the Congress fold.

Joining the media briefing MPP president Dr L Chandramani opined that Dorendra's return has further strengthened the political organisation and expressed gratitude to him for readily endorsing the MPP's approach to chalk out a new poll strategy that can restore law and order in the State.

Dr Chandramani also exuded confidence that MPP would be able to serve the people after the mandate of the upcoming polls.

Speaking on the occasion, former MPP president O Joy predicted that Congress party would lick defeat at the hands of MPP for the fourth time while asserting that Dorendra rejoined MPP to protect the interest of Manipur.

MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang also chipped in and observed that the pro-MPP wave currently building up predicts doom for the Congress party in the State.

Meanwhile, former VC of MU Dr N Bijoy tendered his resignation letter from the Congress to MPCC president Gaikhangam today.

Speaking to reporters today Bijoy said lack of faith on State Congress leaders and polity of favouritism had forced him to part ways with the Congress.

Expounding on his allegation, Bijoy said despite his association with the MPCC as an active member, the Congress party had overlooked his presence and instead entertained entry of an individual who previously was loyal to another political outfit and has ambition to contest th forthcoming polls from Khurai assembly constituency.

Claiming that he along with 101 Congress members had severed links with the MPCC, N Bijoy, however declined to spell out which political entity he would prefer to contest the assembly polls from Khurai AC.

On the otherhand, sources indicated that N Bijoy would join the MPP and will be in the fray for the 9th State assembly as MPP nominee.